Q. A long time ago I asked you for any details you might
have for this somewhat gawky, but pretty plant, with its small red flowers come
spring and summer. Hummingbirds love
them. The botanical name is: Pedilanthus macrocarpus. I am interested in trimming, feeding and any
other details particularly to encourage more large blooms of the red flowers.
We have two of these plants facing Southwest, and one is about 5 feet high and
straggly.
A. I don’t really know much about this plant. When I
start investigating a plant, any plant whether I know it or not, I start
digging for information usually from University documents and reliable
nurseries. This plant has been given is “Lady’s Slipper”And it is a perennial succulent.
start investigating a plant, any plant whether I know it or not, I start
digging for information usually from University documents and reliable
nurseries. This plant has been given is “Lady’s Slipper”And it is a perennial succulent.
This plant is from Baja and the Sonoran Desert. That
tells me a lot. Yes it can tolerate desert soils and desert conditions but it
does like to have a drink of water periodically. I also suspect this plant will
grow better with a little bit of organics mixed in the soil at the time of
planting. Or some organics added to the surface of the soil where there is
water and let it decompose around the plant. It might also like to be misted
periodically since it’s from Baja.
tells me a lot. Yes it can tolerate desert soils and desert conditions but it
does like to have a drink of water periodically. I also suspect this plant will
grow better with a little bit of organics mixed in the soil at the time of
planting. Or some organics added to the surface of the soil where there is
water and let it decompose around the plant. It might also like to be misted
periodically since it’s from Baja.
It seems to be tender to freezing temperatures below 30° F. It may not handle intense desert sunlight so it’s best growing under trees in those exposures or on the east side of the building.
I couldn’t find information on what triggers the
flowering of this plant but information from Arizona State University says this
plant blooms more profusely during the winter months. It remarks that summer
flowers are not as striking. Flowering might be triggered by temperatures,
daylength or rainfall.
flowering of this plant but information from Arizona State University says this
plant blooms more profusely during the winter months. It remarks that summer
flowers are not as striking. Flowering might be triggered by temperatures,
daylength or rainfall.
So let’s talk about how to get more flowers, and larger
flowers, on this plant.
flowers, on this plant.
More flowers.
The more growing points this plant has, the more flowers it will produce.
Generally, pruning this plant to improve flower production should be done at
its base; removing entire stems from deep down inside the plant rather than any
kind of shearing or cutting off the terminal ends of the branches.
The more growing points this plant has, the more flowers it will produce.
Generally, pruning this plant to improve flower production should be done at
its base; removing entire stems from deep down inside the plant rather than any
kind of shearing or cutting off the terminal ends of the branches.
Some of the longer stems can be cut back so that they will grow more stems to produce flowers. These are called “heading cuts”. One heading cut will produce 3 to 4 new stems that can produce flowers.
Fertilizer. I believe in the use of compost for soil improvement and adding nutrients,
fertilizer, for the plant growing in desert soils. Apply perhaps one quarter cubic foot of compost to
the soil at the base of this plant in early spring. Try supplementing this
plant with a high phosphorus mineral fertilizer such as triple super phosphate
or bonemeal.
fertilizer, for the plant growing in desert soils. Apply perhaps one quarter cubic foot of compost to
the soil at the base of this plant in early spring. Try supplementing this
plant with a high phosphorus mineral fertilizer such as triple super phosphate
or bonemeal.
Apply all fertilizers containing nitrogen in half rates the label
states. Begin applying phosphorus fertilizers about two weeks before it is
known to bloom. Do not apply any nitrogen fertilizers or compost after August 1
through November.
states. Begin applying phosphorus fertilizers about two weeks before it is
known to bloom. Do not apply any nitrogen fertilizers or compost after August 1
through November.
Sunlight. Make
sure it has at least 8 hours of sunlight. Keep it out of spots where it has intense sunlight such as your walls facing West or South.
sure it has at least 8 hours of sunlight. Keep it out of spots where it has intense sunlight such as your walls facing West or South.
Water. Water
it sparingly as you would a desert plant, but deeply when you do. Try watering
once every 2 to 3 weeks. Use its growth as an indicator whether to water again.
If it’s not pushing a lot of new growth, water it more often. Apply water a
distance from the plant equal to up to at least half of its height.
it sparingly as you would a desert plant, but deeply when you do. Try watering
once every 2 to 3 weeks. Use its growth as an indicator whether to water again.
If it’s not pushing a lot of new growth, water it more often. Apply water a
distance from the plant equal to up to at least half of its height.
Drainage. This
plant must have good drainage or it will die or fall over.
plant must have good drainage or it will die or fall over.